Good Housekeeping. . . A Lost Art?

By Ken Thim The Flintkote Supply Co. Los Angeles, Ca.

G AFETY SEEMS to be somer, thing that the majority talk much about but few do little about.

There is no valid argument against practicing safety and this is not a rap against the practice ofcaution on wheels or afoot. This is a personal vendetta on behalf of material handling, cleanliness and good housekeeping which are certainly blood-brothers of safety.

The daily, monthly, yearly contribution of these factors toward the profit picture of any organization is far greater than most care to acknowledge. When the experts scan the bottom line, (and cringe at the minimal figures), they might do well to seek out the truth in an area seldom suspected.

Herewith are some personal ideas of how material should be handled in a lumber and/or building materials yard, wholesale or retail, and in any geographical location: (a) Put proper blocking under all loads, i.e., plywood, lumber, wallboard, sidings, etc. Be sure that not only is placement proper, but that an adequate number is used for sufficient support.

(b) Plan ahead. Ascertain that enough space is allotted for freedom of fork or other vehicle movement.

(c) Use all available shed or undercover areas for the most perishable products. Too many times materials less vulnerable are "handled with care" when far more fragile and/or expensive items are left to the elements.

(d) Inform all personnel, and not particularly newcomers, that nothing has to be done in such haste that caution has to be abandoned. Two minutes of preparation and care can reduce damage to a minimum and increase profits to respectability.

(e) Bagged or sacked goods are generally palletized in some fashion; and not only is the material vulnerable but so are the Pallets. Wouldn't you like a dime for every bag you've seen broken; every piece of plywood with the edges distorted; roofing with the wrappings discarded and the contents strewn: cartons broken and

Story at a Glance

How sloppy materials handling can cost profits. what you and your people can do to Prevent waste, damage and unnecessary losses.

nails scattered hither and yon; metals twisted, disfigured, deformed; plywood delaminated from exposure to the elements; tarps or plastic covers torn, shredded and unuseable?

How many times have you seen something on sale, and although it wasn't marked thusly, knew that the reason was obviously "Marked Down Because of Carelessness?"

Sad commentary. "500/o Discount Thanks to Mishandling."

There goes the net profit. "Sellabration to Benefit Near-Sighted Fork Lift Operator". Everyone will have to take a voluntary cut. "BuY One, Get the Second One Free".

P.S. You'll have to take the second one home in a sack.